Route for 2013 men’s road race

Should Froome succeed in Florence he will become the third Briton to win the road race world title, following Tom Simpson (1965) and Cavendish (2011).

The tough climbs should suit Kenyan-born Froome and Cavendish has high hopes of helping the Briton emulate American Greg LeMond – the last man to win both the yellow and rainbow jerseys in the same year after achieving the double in 1989.

“If we didn’t think he had a really good chance, we’d be going in with more than one plan,” added Cavendish.

“It’s a hard course. He’s in good form. He’s won the Tour de France and we’ve got eight guys. We’re in a good position to try to challenge for the win.”